Divot repair and ball marker tool

ABSTRACT

The divot repair and ball marker tool may be a base member containing at least one recess for the positioning of the ball marker, at least one prong or fork extending from the opposite end of said base member, one top portion that forms a projection over such recess and exerts a downward pressure on the ball marker when the ball marker has been inserted to secure said ball marker in place. When inserted, the ball marker lies within the recess in the base member of the divot repair and ball marker tool and is secured in place by the projection formed by the top portion of the divot repair tool. A golfer can quickly and easily remove the ball marker from the divot repair and ball marker tool by lifting the projection of the top portion and lifting the ball marker out of the recess in the base member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to tools used during the play of golf, more particularly divot repair tools and ball markers for golfers.

2. Background of the Invention

During the course of play, a golf green may be damaged by the impact of the golf ball landing on the green, particularly when it does so from a steep angle of approach. Typically, this may leave an indentation or depressed area on the putting surface. Common golf etiquette requires that the golfer who caused the indentation or other damage repair the defect for the benefit of future players.

Repair tools used for this purpose are well known. In general, a common golf green repair tool comprises an elongate planar sheet of metal formed with a handle at one end and two or more forks at its opposite end. In some more sophisticated designs of these repair tools, the characteristics of a folding pocket knife are employed. Some such pocket knives lock and some do not.

During a golf game, a golfer must also sometimes move his or her ball aside to permit another golfer to putt. On these occasions, the golfer who moves a ball places a marker on the green to identify the original position of the ball so that it can be replaced in the same spot. Many golfers use whatever small items they happen to have available as ball markers, including coins, buttons, and the like, others prefer special marking devices that can be stored with other golf equipment or attached to their clothing. For purposes of this specification, the terms “golf ball position marker,” “position marker,” “ball marker,” “marker” and the like are used interchangeably to refer to any device used to mark the position of a golf ball. Typical markers are generally flat, disc-like objects; some have posts that project a short distance into the soil when the marker is in use.

The present invention functions as a divot repair tool and provides a surprisingly simple way of providing a secure seat for the ball marker needed to mark a golf ball. Hence, the divot repair tool and the ball marker create one single functional unit. Moreover, the ball marker, which otherwise gets lost easily, is securely held into place in said divot repair tool, thus nearly eliminating the risk of losing such ball marker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a divot repair and ball marker tool that carries at least one ball marker removably secured to said divot repair tool by a projection formed in the top portion of the divot repair and ball marker tool that exerts a downward pressure upon the ball marker. Briefly described, the divot repair and ball marker tool may be a base member containing at least one recess for the positioning of the ball marker, at least one prong or fork extending from the opposite end of said base member, one top portion that forms a projection over such recess and exerts a downward pressure on the ball marker when the ball marker has been inserted to secure said ball marker in place. When inserted, the ball marker lies within the recess in the base member of the divot repair and ball marker tool and is secured in place by the projection formed by the top portion of the divot repair tool. A golfer can quickly and easily remove the ball marker from the divot repair and ball marker tool by lifting the projection of the top portion and lifting the ball marker out of the recess in the base member.

With the present invention, any flat, disc-like object may be used as a ball marker, including coins such as dimes and pennies. Unlike other ball marker tools, specialized ball markers with posts to attach to the ball marker tools are not required. Therefore, a distinct advantage over previous ball marker tools is achieved due to the versatility of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, front view of a divot repair and ball marker tool designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, front view of a divot repair and ball marker tool designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention where a ball marker has been inserted;

FIG. 3 is a perspective, back view of a divot repair and ball marker tool designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, back view of a divot repair and ball marker tool designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention where a ball marker has been inserted;

FIG. 5 a is a side cross sectional view of a divot repair and ball marker tool designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the figure illustrating how the ball marker is being inserted into the divot repair and ball marker tool;

FIG. 5 b is a side cross sectional view of a divot repair and ball marker tool designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the figure illustrating how the ball marker lays inserted in the recess of the divot repair and ball marker tool;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view of a divot repair and ball marker tool designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the figure illustrating how a the top portion may be detachable from the base member.

FIG. 7 is a perspective, front view of a divot repair and ball marker tool designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the figure illustrating how a the top portion and base member may be constructed from a single construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a divot repair and ball marker tool shown generally at 1 in the Figures. The divot repair and ball marker tool 1 includes a base member 17 containing at least one recess 13 in the top surface of said base member 17 at one end of the divot repair and ball marker tool 1, at least one prong 3 extending from the opposite end of the base member 17, and a top portion 5 that forms a projection 7 over said recess 13 to secure the ball marker (not shown) in place. With the present embodiment, any flat, disc-like object may be used as a ball marker, including coins such as dimes and pennies. Unlike other ball marker tools, specialized ball markers with posts to attach to the ball marker tools are not required.

In the present embodiment, when inserted, the ball marker lies within the recess 13 in the top surface of the base member 17 of the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 and is secured in place by the projection 7 formed by the top portion 5 of the divot repair and ball marker tool 1. A golfer can quickly and easily remove the ball marker from the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 by lifting the projection 7 of the top portion 5 and lifting the ball marker out of the recess 13 in the base member 17.

Preferably, the base member 17 includes an opening 22 through the center of said recess 13 to allow the user to easily remove the ball marker (not shown) after it has been inserted. The user may use his digits or any other tool to push the ball marker (not shown) through the opening 22 from the back side of the divot repair and ball marker tool 1. The perimeter of the opening 22 may be circular, elliptical, rectangular or polygonal in shape. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the opening 22 may also be made in any conventional shape as desired.

Preferably, the edge of the base member 17 surrounding the recess 13 may be indented at two opposite edges of the base member 17 to form cut outs 15 in the base member 17 allowing the opposite edges of the golf ball marker, when inserted, to extend beyond the perimeter of the base member 17. Such cut outs 15 allow the user to quickly and easily remove the ball marker from the recess 13.

Preferably, the top portion 5 may be secured to the base member 17 by a projection 21 extending from the top surface of the base member 17 through an opening 9 in the top portion 5. The top portion 5 may be secured to the base member 17 by any fastening means including but not limited to a catch, clamp, clasp, hook, magnet, prong, wedge, cam, grooved rectilinear metal element, a slotted rectilinear element, or a recessed rectilinear element.

Preferably, the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 includes an opening 19 to allow the user to attach a key ring or any other type of ring to the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 to allow the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 to be easily transported. The user may attach a key ring, a pin, a clasp, a hook or any fastening means that would allow the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 to be easily transported and portable.

In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one prong 3 extending from the opposite end of the base member 17 may be retractable. In this embodiment, the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 may be constructed such that the at least one prong 3 is fixed to a movable track or along a groove located on the back side of the divot repair and ball marker tool 1, such that the at least one prong 3 may be pushed out to be used for repairing divots or be retracted to make the divot repair and ball marker tool I more compact. Alternatively, the movable track or a groove to which the at least one prong 3 is fixed may be located internally within the body of the base member 17.

In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one prong 3 extending from the opposite end of the base member 17 may contain a hinge at the base of the at least one prong 3 to allow the at least one prong 3 to fold up. This will allow the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 to be compact and easily transported.

FIG. 2 illustrates the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 where the ball marker 23 has been inserted into the recess 13. The projection 7 of the top portion 5 is exerting a downward pressure on the ball marker 23 to secure the ball marker 23 in place. The projection 7 in the top portion 5 may be any conventional shape and simply needs to project over the recess 13 to secure the ball marker 23 into place.

FIG. 3 illustrates the back side of the divot repair and ball marker tool 1. The divot repair and ball marker tool 1 may contain a finger groove 29 on the bottom surface of the base member 17 to allow the user to better grip the divot repair and ball marker tool 1. FIG. 3 also illustrates the opening 22 through the center of the recess 13 to allow the user to easily remove the ball marker (not shown) after it has been inserted.

FIG. 4 illustrates the back side of the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 where the ball marker 23 has been inserted into the recess 13. The edge of the ball marker 23 extends beyond the base member 17 such that the edge of the ball marker 23 is visible from the back side through the cut outs 15. The cut outs 15 allow the user to easily remove the ball marker 23 from the divot repair and ball marker tool 1.

FIG. 5 a illustrates a cross sectional view of the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 where the ball marker 23 is being inserted. Preferably the edge along the opening 22 may be beveled or chamfered to allow the user to easily insert the ball marker 23. The beveled edge guides the ball marker 23 into place by allowing the ball marker 23 to move up such beveled or chamfered edge until the corners of such ball marker 23 lay flat upon the flat edge 33. The beveled or chamfered edge also provides the user with ease when removing the ball marker 23 from the divot repair and ball marker tool 1. The beveled or chamfered edge provides again a guide for when removing the ball marker 23 from the divot repair and ball marker tool 1.

When the ball marker 23 is being inserted into the divot repair and ball marker tool 1, the projection 7 of the top portion 5 is pushed upward while the base member 17 is pushed downward to allow the user to insert the ball marker 23. Preferably, the base member 17 is constructed such that the pressure placed on the projection 7 of the top portion 5 is approximately equal to the pressure applied to base member 17 such that base member 17 is able to provide as much give as the top portion 5 when the ball marker 23 is being inserted in order to minimize the wear and tear on the top portion 5.

FIG. 5 b illustrates a cross sectional view of the divot repair and ball marker tool 1 where the ball marker 23 has been inserted. Once inserted, the ball marker 23 lays flat upon the flat edge 33 of the top surface of the base member 17. The ball marker 23 is further held into place because projection 7 of the top portion 5 is exerting a downward pressure on the ball marker 23.

The top portion 5 is also being secured to the base member by the projection 21 extending from the top surface of the base member 17. The projection 21 passes through the opening 9 in the top portion 5 to lock the top portion 5 to the base member 17. The top portion 5 may be secured to the base member 17 by any fastening means including but not limited to a catch, clamp, clasp, hook, magnet, prong, wedge, cam, grooved rectilinear metal element, a slotted rectilinear element, or a recessed rectilinear element.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective, exploded view of a divot repair and ball marker 1 where the top portion 5 is detachable from the base member 17. Preferably, the top portion 5 may be secured to the base member 17 by placing the projections 35 along the bottom edge 11 of the top portion 5 into the corresponding slots 37 in the base member 17. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the top portion 5 may be secured to the base member 17 by any fastening means including but not limited to a catch, clamp, clasp, hook, magnet, prong, wedge, cam, grooved rectilinear metal element, a slotted rectilinear element, or a recessed rectilinear element.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a divot repair and ball marker 1 where the top portion 5 is of a single construction with the base member 17. The divot repair and ball marker tool 1 may be one unit where the projection 7 extends over the recess 13.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A divot repair and ball marker tool comprising: a base member; at least one recess in the top surface of said base member; at least one prong extending from the base member; and a projection extending over said recess to secure a ball marker.
 2. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said projection is detachable from said base member.
 3. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said divot repair and ball marker tool is made of a rigid plastic.
 4. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said divot repair and ball marker tool is made of aluminum.
 5. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one prong may fold up.
 6. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one prong may retract.
 7. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said recess contains at least one magnet to secure a ball marker.
 8. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said projection contains at least one magnet to secure a ball marker.
 9. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said base member contains at least one finger groove.
 10. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said base member contains at least two recesses in the same plane.
 11. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said projection is fastened to said base member to secure the ball marker.
 12. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said recess is beveled to aid in the insertion of the ball marker.
 13. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said base member contains an opening for the attachment of a key ring.
 14. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 1, wherein said base member contains cut outs to facilitate in inserting and removing a ball marker.
 15. A divot repair and ball marker tool comprising: a base member; at least one recess in said base member; and fastening means to fasten a ball marker to said base member.
 16. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 14, wherein said divot repair and ball marker tool is made of a rigid plastic.
 17. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 14, wherein said divot repair and ball marker tool is made of aluminum.
 18. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 14, wherein said recess contains at least one magnet to secure a ball marker.
 19. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 14, wherein said base member contains at least one prong extending from said base member.
 20. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 14, wherein said fastening means is a bridge extending over said recess.
 21. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 14, wherein said fastening means is a elastic band extending over said recess.
 22. A divot repair and ball marker tool according to claim 14, wherein said fastening means is a pin. 